Day 1, Rotorua

Disney's Pete's Dragon , Rotorua

Rotorua

Highlights

Proximity

The central North Island town of Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s foremost tourism destinations known for its powerful Māori culture experiences and amazing geothermal parks.

The Rotorua Redwood Forest is the home of Elliot the Dragon and where Pete comes across his mysterious new friend. The 110-year-old trees tower above the forest floor and the numerous tracks and trails are popular with walkers and bikers. Hire a bike, or take guided mountain bike tour in the Redwoods with MTB Rotorua.

For a dragons-eye-view of the forest floor below, explore the forest by zipline with Rotorua Canopy Tours.

Day 2, Rotorua

Pohutu Geyser at Te Puia , Rotorua

By Shaun Jeffers Photography

Rotorua

Highlights

Proximity

Explore the best of the Maori world in Rotorua. Places such as Te Puia offer cultural experiences that combine dramatic Maori performances – singing, dancing and haka (war dances) with delicious Maori food and arts. Te Puia is also a thermal reserve featuring more than 500 springs and the famous Pohutu Geyser which erupts up to 20 times a day, spurting hot water up to 30m skyward.

Day 3, Rotorua - Wellington

Weta Cave and Workshop Tour, Wellington

Wellington

Highlights

Proximity

New Zealand’s capital city Wellington is known for its contribution to film and Weta Workshop, once again, played an important role in bringing Disney's Pete’s Dragon to life. Weta Workshop tours have been named one of the top 10 studio tours in the world. Film fans can meet members of the creative team and see first-hand how they create jaw-dropping special effects.

Day 4, Wellington

Battle Hill Farm , Wellington

By Disney Studios New Zealand

Wellington

Highlights

Proximity

Just 30 minutes out of Wellington is Battle Hill Farm Park, which is where Pete makes the leap off a cliff only to land on Elliot’s back. The Battle Hill Farm Park is home to cycle trails and mountain bike tracks. The park is a popular spot for walkers and there are designated camping areas so you can stay overnight right in the heart of the film location.

Explore Mt Victoria - a 10-minute drive from Miramar - was used to film several of the forest scenes in Disney's Pete’s Dragon. The prominent tree-covered city landmark offers sweeping views across Wellington and is a favourite picnic spot and leisure destination for locals and tourists. The area has also become popular with filmmakers looking for a natural landscape in close proximity to the city and Miramar studios..

Day 5, Wellington - Queenstown

Kawarau Bridge Bungy , Queenstown

By AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand

Queenstown

Highlights

Proximity

Queenstown is a hugely popular tourist destination and there is nowhere more exciting or diverse to shoot a movie than in the adventure capital of the world. Situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath The Remarkables mountain range, Queenstown has movie star good looks.

The beautiful lakes and snowy alps are picture-perfect for a flight on the back of a dragon. Take your own leap off the edge, much like Pete in the film, with A J Hackett Bungy, home of the world’s first commercial bungy operation, a visit to Queenstown without a bungy jump is like a visit to Disneyland with no space mountain.

Day 6, Queenstown

Disney's Pete's Dragon, Queenstown

By Disney Studios New Zealand

Queenstown

Highlights

Proximity

Not far from Queenstown, on the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu, sits Glenorchy and the gateway to Paradise. Paradise is true to its namesake and the picturesque location has to be seen to be believed. Travel one of New Zealand’s most scenic driving routes, then journey up the river aboard a Dart River Jet Boat and, as you zoom through the shallow river on your way to Paradise, you won’t believe what you are seeing.

Day 7, Queenstown - Southland

Disney's Pete's Dragon , Southland

By Disney Studios New Zealand

Southland

Highlights

Fly fishing

Proximity

The small South Island town of Tapanui (Pop. 900), located in the Otago region of the lower South Island, was transformed into Millhaven, a small fictional logging town in America’s Pacific Northwest, for Disney’s Pete’s Dragon. Tapanui is renowned for its incredible fishing in rivers brimming with brown trout and salmon. The Pomahaka River offers world class fishing with some of the biggest brown trout to be found anywhere in the world.

If fishing isn’t your thing, then grab a bike and jump on the Clutha Gold Trail one of the New Zealand Cycle Trail’s Great Rides. The trail is 72 kilometres/ 45 miles long and follows one of the country's longest rivers through a landscape rich with goldminers’ tales of bust and boom.